Dyche and Shackell nominated for awards

Dyche has been short-listed for January’s manager of the month prize along with Leicester City’s Nigel Pearson and Gus Poyet of Brighton.

The Clarets won three of their four Championship games in January, keeping clean sheets in each of their victories over promotion-chasing Crystal Palace at Turf Moor and away at Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall.

And that defensive record helped Shackell get a nomination as player of the month.

The Burnley centre-back was selected along with Watford striker Matej Vydra and Leicester’s Chris Wood with the latter pair banging in the goals to help their teams cement their place in the top six.

The winners, to be chosen by a Football League judging panel, will be announced on Friday morning.

In the running: Jason Shackell

Meanwhile, Dyche admitted that Tuesday’s friendly win at Stoke City – secured with two goals from Sam Vokes – has given him food for thought ahead of the Clarets’ clash with top-six rivals Middlesbrough next week.

The Clarets’ boss was delighted with the performance against a Stoke side made up almost entirely of first-team squad players.

And with Burnley looking to break a three-match winless run when they face Boro at Turf Moor next Tuesday night, Dyche praised those pushing for a place.

“It’s brilliant development for our young players to get a feel for playing against those players,” he said.

“And the experienced players applied themselves fantastically. It was a very useful day.

“We are always looking to change the team when it is needed.

“We have had a couple of results when you have to think if it’s time to freshen it up or give it a different feel.